It seems that London 2012, coupled with our athletes' fantastic achievements at the Beijing Olympics and this year’s athletics World Championships, is already having a real impact on our nation. I'm lucky enough to meet an array of people participating in sport, from kids at schools, to up-and-coming athletes (of all ages) and those at the more elite end of the scale. London 2012 is certainly on people’s lips.

The fantastic achievements of our athletes in Beijing provided the perfect springboard for London and its plans for 2012. It wasn’t just that we won such a high number of gold medals, it was the fact that we medalled over such a number of different sports. This is clear evidence that the funding that has been put in place is proving worthwhile. Speaking as a female athlete, it was also great to see a leap in performance from the British women, raising their profiles and giving young women more role models to be excited about ahead of 2012.

Through my "On Camp with Kelly" mentoring initiative, I’ve seen first-hand how positive young talented athletes are about the forthcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games. I have been mentoring 60 junior middle distance athletes (45 girls and 15 boys) with 17 of them going on to compete at the European Junior Championships, European Under-23 Championships and World Youth Games. Nine of those athletes were medallists and it really seems like some of them have what it takes to make it to the top. 

The beauty of London 2012 is that, for those with the talent and aspiration, it acts as a real driver. Because of 2012, promising young athletes are having to mature more quickly. With developments in coaching and sports science, plus increases in funding, the young athletes seem to be getting faster a lot younger than before.  

"On Camp with Kelly" will have been a nine year project by the time the Games arrive and it would be fantastic to see someone from the Camp go all the way. However, it’s also important for some athletes to realise that 2012 may be too soon for them but, if 2016 is a more realistic target, they will still be able to reap the benefits of seeing the Olympics close-up in London.

It's great to be in a position where you can use your experiences to benefit a new generation of athletes. It's so important that former professional sports people pass down their knowledge and advice to young talent who can really benefit from it to help improve their performance. The BT Backing Talent programme, run through the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust, utilises retired sports people to engage with youngsters participating in sport. We recognise that former athletes have the ability to engage younger people and, in turn, inspire them.  

As part of the BT Ambassador scheme, I’ve also had the opportunity to talk with some of their younger sporting Ambassadors about their goals ahead of the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. It's good to be an Ambassador for a company that values the London 2012 opportunity and, internally, is doing all it can to make its staff feel part of the journey.

With the 1,000 Days To Go milestones fast approaching (Olympics on October 31 and Paralympics on December 3) it certainly brings home how time is flying. Before we know it, it’ll be 2011 and we’ll be on the final run-in to the event. All eyes are on London, British athletes and the sports system to achieve the best possible results and deliver a brilliant Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Some of the elite athletes that have performed so well recently will already be feeling the pressure to match or better their excellent achievements, especially as it’s on home turf.  Not everyone can go on to be an elite athlete, but everyone can be involved in sport.

I have always said sport has the ability to transform lives through Social inclusion, community engagement, communication and leadership skills, personal development, aspirational fulfilment and healthier lifestyles. The Olympic and Paralympic Games are two of the most inspirational events in the world and the thought of them coming to Britain really seems to have impacted on participation in sport.

I’m constantly meeting people of varying ability and age who want to talk about the Games now we just need them to start saying they have started playing a particular sport because they were inspired by them.

Bring on 2012!

Dame Kelly Holmes is a BT Ambassador.  BT is the official communications services partner for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and title sponsor of the BT Paralympic World Cup. For more information click here.